Africa-Press – Gambia. The Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure (MOTWI) on Monday began a three-day inspection tour of major road projects in rural Gambia, with focus on the North Bank, Central River and Upper River regions, officials said.
The tour, running from 19 to 21 January 2026, aims to assess progress on ongoing road works, motivate contractors, and ensure strict compliance with project timelines and quality standards.
During the tour, the minister inaugurated a new public bus service along the newly completed Barra–Hakalang Road. The service, operated by the Gambia Transport Service Corporation (GTSC), is expected to enhance mobility and access to safe transportation for communities along the corridor.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister, Ebrima, said the launch of the bus service was in line with a directive from President Adama Barrow to ensure that newly constructed roads are supported by reliable and safe public transport.
“On behalf of His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, and the Government of The Gambia, I wish to thank GTSC for its strong commitment to serving the Gambian people,” the minister said, noting that improved transport services are essential to maximising the benefits of new road infrastructure.
He said the introduction of the GTSC service from Kuntair to Barra via Hakalang would enable residents of surrounding communities to fully utilise the road, adding that the initiative was timely amid concerns over road accidents linked to unregulated transport services.
“The presence of GTSC in these rural areas sends a clear message that government commitment goes beyond road construction to include safety and accessibility,” he said, urging drivers to observe speed limits and road safety regulations.
The minister further disclosed that feasibility studies are currently underway for about 902 kilometres of rural roads, led by engineers from MOTWI and the National Roads Authority (NRA). He said most of the projects are expected to be launched before the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Earlier, GTSC Head of Operations Amadou Drammeh said the new service was designed to ease the movement of people between Kuntair and Barra through the Hakalang route.
“Wherever the Government of The Gambia constructs a road, GTSC will be there,” Drammeh said, reaffirming the corporation’s role in supporting national development. He added that the new route complements other GTSC services introduced in Kudang, Kiang Karantaba and Kunti.
The inspection tour continues across other project sites as the government intensifies efforts to expand road infrastructure and improve transport services nationwide.
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